UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja says Kai Asakura’s viral RIZIN highlight reel was enough to warrant a UFC title shot for his debut.
Alexandre Pantoja will face a new challenge in the form of Kai Asakura in the UFC 310 main event. In his latest UFC flyweight title defense, Pantoja will welcome former RIZIN superstar Asakura to the Octagon, in what could be an instant classic in flyweight history.
Asakura’s unprecedented UFC title shot is historic for multiple reasons. He’s just the 24th fighter in UFC history to make a promotional debut in a championship fight, and if he wins this weekend, he’ll be the first to win a belt in his first UFC appearance.
Some were surprised that Asakura got an immediate UFC flyweight title shot and a massive platform for his debut. But for Pantoja, after watching Asakura’s wild RIZIN highlight reel, the Japanese star provided arguably the toughest on-paper challenge of his career.
Alexandre Pantoja: Kai Asakura earned a title shot after I watched his RIZIN reel
During his UFC 310 media day press conference, Pantoja was asked about giving the green light to Asakura for a historic title shot in his debut.
“I got more attention about him, ‘Who is this guy, who can beat Kyoji because Kyoji is so good?’” Pantoja explained. “I realized I have a very good fighter to fight. I’ve started to study him more, and I see he fought Manel Kape. He won one time and lost one time. He fought Ulka Sasaki. I fought with the same guy before. Good coincidence, and I’m so happy [about] that fight.
“It makes that like a crossover. It’s opened doors for a lot of good fighters all across the world. You have so many good promotions, but of course, everyone wants the belt in the UFC.” (h/t MMA News)
Before signing with the UFC, Asakura won the RIZIN bantamweight title twice, including a vicious knockout of former Bellator titleholder Juan Archuleta last December. During his RIZIN tenure, Asakura tallied five first-round knockout wins, including by soccer kicks against Hiromasa Ougikubo at Rizin 23.
-But, Asakura lost by knockout to a fighter Pantoja defeated easily earlier in their careers. Asakura’s quick-twitch striking, especially in the early rounds, has left him susceptible to heavy blows.
Alexandre Pantoja looks to spoil Kai Asakura’s UFC debut in the year’s final UFC PPV main event
Despite Asakura’s magnetic intrigue, Pantoja has proven to be one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world during his six-fight winning streak. After winning the title over Brandon Moreno at UFC 290, he’s successfully defended the belt against Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg.
UFC 310 will be Pantoja’s second UFC main event in 2024, after facing off with Erceg in the UFC 301 main event. He won by unanimous decision in one of the high-octane matchups of the year.
While Pantoja vs. Asakura isn’t getting the PPV pop as other matchups have this year, it could potentially crush pre-fight expectations. Pantoja’s preparing for another explosive showing from Asakura, but whether or not he’ll be successful with that approach remains to be seen.
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